Major rail line to close for works

The rail line will close to allow for HS2 works

Rail passengers have been warned to expect delays amid line closures affecting a swathe of the West Midlands network.

The Cross City line between Birmingham and Lichfield will be closed for maintenance work from Monday 28 July until Sunday 3 August, Network Rail says, revising an original plan that involved HS2 infrastructure operations.

The closure means no trains will run between the cities during the period.

Network Rail has apologised for the inconvenience to passengers and says that closing the route during the school holidays will minimise disruption. Replacement bus services are to be provided.

Train services will continue to run as normal between Birmingham New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove on the southern section of the Cross City line.

The work allowed by the closure at the northern end includes earthwork repairs and track maintenance.

The installation of a 16.5m (55ft) steel section of a new viaduct is set to follow at a later date, with the structure designed to carry HS2 trains into Birmingham's Curzon Street station.

A longer closure period, beginning two days earlier, was initially planned, with the programme of works including the HS2 bridge installation.

Replacement bus services during the closure period will be in operation between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley and also Tame Bridge Parkway.

Network Rail said that everything had been done to minimise disruption during the closure period.

"There is never a good time for closures like this and I am sorry for the inconvenience, but school holidays and summer breaks means passenger numbers are lower at this time of year," said Denise Wetton, Network Rail's central route director.